Gaming machine, method and computer program for controlling the same, and computer-readable storage medium having the program stored therein

ABSTRACT

A display includes a plurality of display areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural hexagonal indicium. A controller determines a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two of the display areas which are adjacently arranged on the display.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a gaming machine, such as a token gamingmachine, or a slot machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machinethat offers conditions which can become advantageous to a playerdepending on the state of indicium stationarily displayed on a display.

BACKGROUND ART

As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a first related-art gaming machine has adisplay 12 comprising a plurality of display areas (a₁₁, a₁₂, . . . ,a₃₃) having a rectangular shape. The respective display areas arearranged into a matrix pattern. When results displayed in the pluralityof display areas are brought into a predetermined display pattern along,e.g., a line extending in the direction of a row or a diagonal line (inFIG. 15A a combination of indicium “7” is established along a lineextending in the direction of a row; that is, a₂₁-a₂₂-a₂₃), a conditionwhich can become advantageous to the player is offered.

A second related-art gaming machine described in Japanese PatentPublication No. 6-246043A is provided as a more attractive gamingmachine in comparison with the first related-art gaming machine shown inFIG. 15A. In the second related-art gaming machine, hexagonal indiciumare displayed in the display 12 as shown in FIG. 15B. When displayresults appearing in a predetermined number or more of display regionsfrom among a plurality of display areas (b₂₁, b₄₁, b₁₂, b₃₂, b₅₂, b₂₃,and b₄₃) are arranged into a specific display pattern; morespecifically, when specific indicium are displayed in a predeterminednumber or more of display areas or when indicium “FRUIT” are displayedin all the display areas, a combination of specific display patterns isestablished, whereupon a predetermined gaming value is offered.

The geometries of indicium to be displayed in the display are madedifferent from a conventional geometry of indicia in such a manner asmentioned above, thereby imparting enhanced amusement for the player.

However, in order to provide a highly-renewed gaming characteristic, acondition for imparting a predetermined gaming value in accordance witha novel pattern of indicia is required. In relation to the conventionalcondition; that is, when display results appearing in a predeterminednumber of display areas or more constitute a specific display pattern, arestriction of “a predetermined number or more of display areas” mightspoil the player's pleasure.

As shown in FIG. 15B, in a gaming machine, indicia constituting a firstreel is displayed in display areas a₂₁-b₄₁; indicia constituting asecond reel is displayed in display areas b₁₂-b₃₂-b₅₂; and indiciaconstituting a third reel is displayed in display areas b₂₃-b₄₃. Displayof four or more specific indicium in the display areas is presumed to bea condition for offering a gaming value. In a certain situation; namely,when no specific indicia is stationarily displayed in the display areasb₂₁, b₄₁ as a result of stoppage of the first reel, and only onespecific indicia is stationarily displayed in the display areas b₁₂,b₃₂, and b₅₂ as a result of stoppage of the second reel, there is nolonger a chance for satisfying the condition for offering a gamingvalue. Therefore, in spite of the player's pleasure remaining spoiled,the third reel continues changing.

In a case where a condition for offering a gaming value is set for eachtype of indicia arrangement, such as display of four or more indicium“7” and display of all indicium “FRUIT,” the player must ascertainindividual conditions for offering a gaming value beforehand. Also, theplayer encounters difficulty in intuitively ascertaining, within a shorttime period, whether or not the condition for offering a gaming valuehas been satisfied. This is likely to result in creation of a problem ofarousing a feeling of repulsion in a player who is playing the game forthe first time or a problem of the player being unable to understand thecondition and being bewildered.

Further, a condition for offering a gaming value may also be determinedas occurrence of a predetermined display pattern in certain locationswithin the display areas of the display. When specific indicium aredisplayed in spaced display regions, the player encounters greaterdifficulty in intuitively ascertaining, within a short time period,whether or not the condition is satisfied, to a degree corresponding tothe distance between the display regions. In contrast, under thecondition that specific indicium must appear at all display areas, theplayer's pleasure is spoiled if that specific indicia has failed toappear at one display area. Hence, such a condition forms a barrier tofurther enhancement of a gaming characteristic.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a gaming machinewhich employs novel patterns of indicium to be displayed in a displayfor enhancing amusement for a player; which decreases complexity ofconditions for offering a gaming value as conditions having a gamingcharacteristic corresponding to the novel patterns; which makes theconditions visually and intuitively ascertainable; and which is easy fora beginner or a casual player to understand.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a method and a computerprogram for controlling the gaming machine, and a computer-readablestorage medium having the computer program stored therein.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention, thereis provided a gaming machine, comprising:

-   -   a display, including a plurality of display areas connected with        each other, each operable to variably and stationarily display        one kind of plural hexagonal indicium; and    -   a controller, which determines a win occurrence, in a case where        an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at        least two of the display areas which are adjacently arranged on        the display.

According to the invention, there is defined a so-called condition foroffering a gaming value; that is, a condition for offering a statuswhich can become advantageous to a player in a case where identicalhexagonal indicium are adjacent to each other.

Here, in relation to the expression “display including a plurality ofdisplay areas,” the only requirement is to be able to ascertain that thedisplay is formed from a plurality of display areas as a result of theindicium being displayed in the respective display areas even when therespective display areas are not definitely partitioned. No limitationis imposed on the physical configuration of the display areas.

The expression “hexagonal” includes a case where indicium of hexagonalshapes are prepared and a case where any measure to make the indiciumhexagonal, such as provision of a hexagonal display area, is taken.Namely, if indicium are displayed in the display so that the player canascertain the indicium as being hexagonal, these indicium fall withinthe concept of “hexagonal.”

The expression “connected” can be conceived as showing a state in whichthe indicium are physically connected together and a state in which theindicium are not connected together but can be virtually ascertained bythe player as if being connected together in association with variabledisplay of the indicium. Connection of the hexagonal indicium can beembodied in two ways: that is, sides of hexagonal indicium beingconnected together, and angles of the hexagonal indicium being connectedtogether.

The expression “adjacent” refers to a relationship in which indicium arearranged side by side; in other words, a plurality of display areasrelatively adjoining to each other in a vertical, horizontal,upwardly-sloping, or downwardly-sloping direction. The only requirementis at least one line which can constitute an adjacent relationship isestablished in somewhere on the display. No limitation is imposed on thenumber of indicium. The only requirement is that indicium are merelyadjacent to each other.

In such a configuration, the player can easily, intuitively grasp theadjacent relationship, and hence the player can ascertain whether or nota win has arisen within a short time period.

Preferably, a line connecting two display areas situated both ends ofthe display areas showing the identical kind of indicium and adjacentlyarranged is regarded as a winning line.

In such a configuration, when many adjacent relationships areestablished, a status which can become more advantageous to the playercan be provided. Further, complexity of the condition for offering agaming value, which would otherwise be caused by the adjacentrelationship, can be prevented.

Preferably, the win occurrence is determined except a case where anidentical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on the displayareas which are adjacently arranged in either an immediate horizontaldirection or an immediate vertical direction.

In such a configuration, complexity of a condition for offering a gamingvalue for an adjacent relationship can be eliminated. Therefore, thecondition for offering a gaming value can be visually and intuitivelyascertained.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in connection with the indiciumstationarily displayed in the display 12, the identical indicium “●” aredisplayed in a plurality of display areas b₁₁, b₂₂, b₃₃, b₄₄, b₃₁, andb₄₂ and adjacent to each other. Three possible patterns are available;namely, six identical indicium “●” “b₄₂-b₃₁-b₁₁-b₂₂-b₃₃-b₄₄” beingconnected together; four identical indicium “●” “b₁₁-b₂₂-b₃₃-b₄₄”; ortwo identical indicium “●” “b₃₁-b₄₂.” By the condition that arelationship in which indicium are adjacent to each other in theimmediate vertical direction should not be included, the connectionpattern “b₁₁-b₃₁ (or “b₂₂-b₄₂”) is excluded. Eventually, the fourindicium “b₁₁-b₂₂-b₃₃-b₄₄” and the two indicium “b₃₁-b₄₂” are set asadjacent relationships, which offer a status which can be advantageousto the player.

Accordingly, when a shift arises to a status which can become moreadvantageous to the player or when complicate interconnection patternsarise among a plurality of identical adjacent indicium, establishment oftwo patterns; that is a pattern formed by connection of four indiciumand a pattern formed by connection of two indicium, is more effectivethan establishment of a pattern formed by connection of six indicium, asa condition for eliminating complexity of a condition for offering agaming value.

According to the invention, there is also provided a gaming machine,comprising:

-   -   a display, including a plurality of first display areas        connected with each other, each operable to variably and        stationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium, and        a plurality of second display areas separated from each other        and connected with four of the first display areas, each        operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural        rectangular indicium; and    -   a controller, which determines a win occurrence, in a case where        an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at        least two of the first display areas and the second display        areas which are adjacently arranged on the display.

In such a configuration, the condition for offering a gaming value isdetermined by a simple condition although a novel display pattern forthe display, that is, a mixture of the rectangular indicium and theoctagonal indicium is provided. The player can visually and intuitivelygrasp the condition for offering a gaming value. Hence, a beginnerplayer or a casual player can also readily and quickly understand thecondition.

Specifically, the octagonal indicium are displayed in first displayareas A₁₁, A₁₂, . . . , A₃₃ as shown in FIG. 6A. The indicium to bedisplayed in the first display area are displayed while being connectedtogether over a plurality of display regions. Rectangular indicium aredisplayed in the second areas a₁, a₂, . . . a₄. The indicium to bedisplayed in the second display areas are displayed while being spacedover the plurality of display areas.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the indicia “•” are stationarily displayed in thefirst display areas A₁₁, A₁₂, and A₁₃. When the indicium “•” arestationarily displayed in the second display areas a₁, a₂, the identicalindicium “•” are adjacent to each other. Hence, five indicium “•” areconnected together, thereby offering a status which can be advantageousto the player.

Preferably, a line connecting two display areas situated both ends ofthe display areas showing the identical kind of indicium and adjacentlyarranged is regarded as a winning line.

In such a configuration, when many adjacent relationships areestablished, a status which can become more advantageous to the playercan be provided. Further, complexity of the condition for offering agaming value, which would otherwise be caused by the adjacentrelationship, can be prevented.

According to the invention, there is also provided a gaming machine,comprising:

-   -   a display, including a plurality of first display areas        connected with each other, each operable to variably and        stationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium, and        a plurality of second display areas separated from each other        and connected with four of the first display areas, each        operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural        rectangular indicium including a mark connecting at least two of        the four first display areas; and    -   a controller, which determines a win occurrence, in a case where        an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at        least two of the first display areas connected by the mark        stationarily displayed on at least one of the second display        areas.

In such a configuration, there is provided a novel manner to displayindicium; that is, display of rectangular indicium and octagonalindicium are displayed in the display. Even in a gaming machine adoptingsuch a novel display way, a condition for offering a gaming value is seton the basis of a simple condition that identical indicium are adjacentto each other with interposition of rectangular indicium in connectionwith establishment of a relationship of octagonal indicium beingadjacent to each other. Hence, the condition for offering a gaming valueis visually and intuitively ascertainable. Hence, a beginner or casualplayer can also comprehend the condition quickly.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, marks, which virtually interconnectindicium to be displayed in the plurality of first display areas (e.g.,A₂₁, A₂₂, A₃₁, A₃₂) adjacent to the second display area (e.g., a₃ inFIG. 6A), may be displayed in the second display areas. A determinationcan be made as to whether or not the indicium to be displayed in theplurality of first display areas are to be connected together by themark displayed in the second display area.

According to the example shown in FIG. 7, the identical indicium “•” arestationarily displayed in the first display areas A₁₁, A₁₂, A₁₃, A₂₂,and A₃₃. In relation to the second display areas, a “mark forinterconnecting indicium in a right sloping direction” is stationarilydisplayed in a₁; a “mark for interconnecting no indicium” isstationarily displayed in a₂; a “mark for interconnecting indicium in aleft sloping direction” is stationarily displayed in a₃; a “mark forinterconnecting indicium in both right and left sloping directions” isstationarily displayed in a₄.

In this state, the indicium displayed in the first display areas A₁₁ andA₂₂ are identical with each other. Further, the indicium are deemed asbeing adjacent to each other by the mark displayed in the second displayarea a₁. Hence, an adjacent relationship A₁₁-A₂₂ is established.Similarly, the indicium displayed in the first display areas A₂₂ and A₂₃are identical with each other, and the indicium are deemed as beingadjacent to each other by the mark displayed in the second display areaa₄. Hence, an adjacent relationship A₂₂-A₃₃ is established.Consequently, there is established an adjacent relationship A₁₁-A₂₂-A₃₃.

Preferably, a line connecting two first display areas situated both endsof the first display areas showing the identical kind of indicium andconnected by the mark displayed on the at least one of the seconddisplay areas is regarded as a winning line.

In such a configuration, when many adjacent relationships areestablished, a status which can become more advantageous to the playercan be provided. Further, complexity of the condition for offering agaming value, which would otherwise be caused by the adjacentrelationship, can be prevented.

Preferably, the rectangular indicium includes a mark isolating the fourfirst display areas.

In such a configuration, even when the indicium to be displayed in thefirst display areas are adjacent to each other, the indicium are deemedas not being associated with each other depending on the mark displayedin the second display area, thus providing a new gaming characteristic.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the “mark which does not connect any indicium”appears in the second display area a₂, the indicium displayed in theplurality of first display areas located adjacent to the indicia havingthe mark are deemed as not being associated with each. The reason forthis is that the indicium A₁₃ and A₂₂ appearing in the first displayarea are identical with each other and that, in contrast, the markdisplayed in the second display area a₂ does not virtually connect theindicium displayed in the plurality of adjacent first display areas butvirtually isolate the indicium displayed in the first display area.

Preferably, a number of winning line obtained is counted withoutconsidering kind of the indicium.

As shown in, e.g., FIGS. 8A and 8B, connection of five indicium “•” andconnection of two indicium “▪” are presumed to be established in thegaming machine. A difference can be can be imparted to determination ofoccurrence of a win depending on whether the indicium are “•” or “▪.”According to the invention, the number of winning lines is determined onthe basis of two, which is the number of independent lines obtained whenidentical indicium are virtually connected together, thereby preventingcomplexity of the condition for offering a gaming value.

Preferably, the indicium includes a special indicia which substitutesall kinds of the indicium.

Here, the special indicia means a so-called wild card. As a result ofthis special indicia being stationarily displayed, identical indiciumare adjacent to each other, thereby enhancing a gaming characteristicfurther.

According to the invention, there is also provided a gaming machine,comprising:

-   -   a plurality of first display areas connected with each other,        each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of        plural octagonal indicium; and    -   a plurality of second display areas separated from each other        and connected with four of the first display areas, each        operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural        rectangular indicium.

In such a configuration, there is provided a novel display manner ofsimultaneously displaying octagonal indicium and rectangular indicium.Hence, amusements for the player can be enhanced.

Preferably, the gaming machine is a slot machine.

According to the invention, there is also provided a method ofcontrolling a gaming machine performed by a computer, comprising stepsof:

-   -   providing a display, including a plurality of display areas        connected with each other, each operable to variably and        stationarily display one kind of plural hexagonal indicium; and    -   determining a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind        of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two of the        display areas which are adjacently arranged on the display.

Preferably, a line connecting two display areas situated both ends ofthe display areas showing the identical kind of indicium and adjacentlyarranged is regarded as a winning line.

Preferably, the win occurrence is determined except a case where anidentical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on the displayareas which are adjacently arranged in either an immediate horizontaldirection or an immediate vertical direction.

According to the invention, there is also provided a method ofcontrolling a gaming machine performed by a computer, comprising stepsof:

-   -   providing a display, including a plurality of first display        areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and        stationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium, and        a plurality of second display areas separated from each other        and connected with four of the first display areas, each        operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural        rectangular indicium; and    -   determining a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind        of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two of the        first display areas and the second display areas which are        adjacently arranged on the display.

Preferably, a line connecting two display areas situated both ends ofthe display areas showing the identical kind of indicium and adjacentlyarranged is regarded as a winning line.

According to the invention, there is also provided A method ofcontrolling a gaming machine performed by a computer, comprising stepsof:

-   -   providing a display, including a plurality of first display        areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and        stationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium, and        a plurality of second display areas separated from each other        and connected with four of the first display areas, each        operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural        rectangular indicium including a mark connecting at least two of        the four first display areas; and    -   determining a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind        of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two of the        first display areas connected by the mark stationarily displayed        on at least one of the second display areas.

Preferably, a line connecting two first display areas situated both endsof the first display areas showing the identical kind of indicium andconnected by the mark displayed on the at least one of the seconddisplay areas is regarded as a winning line.

Preferably, the rectangular indicium includes a mark isolating the fourfirst display areas.

Preferably, a number of winning line obtained is counted withoutconsidering kind of the indicium.

Preferably, the indicium includes a special indicia which substitutesall kinds of the indicium.

According to the invention, there is also provided a method ofcontrolling a slot machine performed by a computer, comprising steps of:

-   -   providing a plurality of first display areas connected with each        other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one        kind of plural octagonal indicium; and    -   providing a plurality of second display areas separated from        each other and connected with four of the first display areas,        each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of        plural rectangular indicium.

According to the invention, there is also provided a computer-readablestorage medium, in which a program for causing a computer to execute anyone of the above control methods is stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a gamingmachine according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the gamingmachine;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an ordinary game processing routineexecuted in the gaming machine;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a win determination processing routineexecuted in the gaming machine;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a first example of stationary display ofindicia displayed in a display;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a second example of stationary displayof indicia displayed in the display;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a third example of stationary display ofindicia displayed in the display;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing a fourth example of stationary displayof indicia displayed in a display;

FIGS. 9A to 9E are views showing variable display/stationary display ofthe indicium shown in a display in the gaming machine of the firstembodiment;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing rotation of rotary drums of a gamingmachine according to a second embodiment;

FIGS. 11A to 11C are view showing rotation of rotary drums of a gamingmachine according to a third embodiment;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing rotation of rotary drums of a gamingmachine according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a modified example of reels shown in FIG. 12B;

FIGS. 14A to 14C are views showing rotation of rotary drums of a gamingmachine according to a fifth embodiment; and

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views showing display performed in related-artgaming machines.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. The invention will now bedescribed by use of a slot machine as an example of a gaming machine.However, the invention is not limited to the slot machine. The inventioncan be applied to all gaming machines, so long as the gaming machine hasa display where any one of a plurality of kinds of indicium, which arevariably displayed and can be stationarily displayed in respectivedisplay areas at predetermined timings, are to be displayed, as in thecase of, e.g., a token gaming machine.

Throughout the specification, the term “indicia” refers to indiciumwhich can be visually identified, such as characters, symbols, designs,patterns, or the like.

Here, the term “variable display” is a concept including both or eithera case where indicium are sequentially changed, for example, a casewhere one indicia “1” is changed to another indicium “2”; a case where asymbol “5” is changed to another symbol “⋆”; or when one indicia ismoved to another location and displayed in that location while beingdisplayed in a variable display machine capable of variably displayingindicium, e.g., a case where one symbol “7” is moved in the display areawhile being displayed (i.e., a scroll display).

The term also encompasses a case where a manner to display indicium ischanged, e.g., a case where one symbol “7” is displayed in a modifiedform, such as a horizontally-oriented layout or a vertically-orientedlayout and a case where the symbol is displayed in a reduced size.

In contrast, the term “stationarily display” indicates a manner tostationarily display a certain indicia at a predetermined position.

A slot machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 is roughly constituted of a controlpanel 14 by way of which a player changes a game status, and a display12 which displays the game status. A game is started by the playerinserts tokens into a token insertion slot 16 provided on the right sideof the control panel 14.

A plurality of display areas to be used for displaying a plurality ofindicium are provided in the display 12. In relation to thethus-constituted display areas, the display areas arranged in such adirection as to constitute a single reel (video reel). Hereinafter, thisdirection is referred as a “reel rotating direction”. For example, asshown in FIG. 9A, a first reel R₁, a second reel R₂, a third reel R₃, afourth reel R₄, and a fifth reel R₅ are displayed in the display 12, inthis sequence from the left.

A stop button 14 b to be used for stopping a reel and stationarilydisplaying indicium is provided in the control panel 14 of the slotmachine shown in FIG. 1. In the gaming machine 10 of the embodiment,five stop buttons 14 b are used for performing stationary displaycontrol of the first reel R₁, the second reel R₂, the third reel R₃, thefourth reel R₄, and the fifth reel R₅ appearing in the display 12. Whenstationary display control of the indicia is performed automatically bythe gaming machine, the stop buttons 14 b may be omitted.

The control panel 14 of the slot machine 10 is provided with BET buttons14 a to be used for selecting a BET range, thereby selecting a BET rangeto be validated.

As shown in FIG. 2, a controller 100 of the slot machine 10 comprises amain control section 100 a for determining occurrence of a win, and adisplay control section 100 b for controlling display operation of thedisplay 12.

First, the main control section 100 a comprises a token storage 100 a ₁which detects tokens inserted through the token inlet slot 16 and storesthe detected tokens; a random number selector 100 a ₂ for effecting aninternal lottery of a game status when a game is started by bettedtokens; a command selector 100 a ₃ which outputs a command signalshowing a game status in accordance with a signal output from the randomnumber selector 100 a ₂; and a win determinant 100 a ₄ which determinesoccurrence of a win in accordance with the command signal output fromthe command selector 100 a ₃.

In addition to the detection of the tokens inserted by way of the tokeninsertion slot 16 and stores the thus-inserted tokens, the token storage100 a 1 also stores the remaining number of tokens by subtracting thenumber of tokens bet from the number of tokens inserted. In accordancewith the information stored in the token storage 100 a ₁, the number oftokens owned by the player can also be displayed.

When a game is started, the random number selector 100 a ₂ performs aninternal lottery of a game status by selecting one frompreviously-stored random numbers. One random number is selected, and thethus-selected numerical value is output to the command selector 100 a ₃.

The command selector 100 a ₃ selects one of commands which are set inassociation with respective selected numerical values. On the basis ofthe random number (numerical value) selected by the random numberselector 100 a ₂, a pattern of indicia is stationarily displayed in thedisplay 12. The command selector 100 a ₃ outputs the thus-selectedcommand signal to the win determinant 100 a ₄.

In accordance with the command signal determined by the command selector100 a ₃, the win determinant 100 a ₄ determines occurrence of a win.Specifically, in connection with the plurality of indicium stationarilydisplayed in the display 12, a determination is made as to whether ornot a relative positional relationship between the indicium is identicalwith a predetermined pattern; for example, whether or not identicalindicium are adjacent to each other. If this requirement is satisfied,occurrence of a win is determined on the basis of the relationship. Aspecific way in which the win determinant 100 a ₄ determines occurrenceof a win will be described later.

The display control section 100 b comprises a ROM 100 b ₁; a RAM 100 b₂; a command analyzer 100 b ₃; an indicia reader 100 b ₄; and a displaycontroller 100 b ₅.

Here, stored in the ROM 100 b ₁ are a display control program forperforming variable and stationary display of indicia, and image datapertaining to all indicium required for running the display controlprogram. Image data pertaining to all indicia images stored in the ROM100 b, are read and stored in the RAM 100 b ₂ at the time of activation(resetting) of the slot machine 10.

The command analyzer 100 b ₃ receives a command signal output from thecommand selector 100 a ₃ and decodes the signal. On the basis of thedecoding (analyzing) operation, a corresponding display control programis read from the ROM 100 b ₁.

The main control section 100 a and the display control section 100 b,which controls display operation of the display, are electricallyconnected together, thereby exchanging a signal. Specifically, theindicia read from the RAM 100 b ₂ is read by the indicia reader 100 b ₄in accordance with contents of a display control program, as required. Adisplay controller 100 b ₅ variably displays the thus-read indicia onthe display 12 in accordance with contents of a display control program.Identification information matching the indicia specified by the commandselector 100 a ₃ is stationarily displayed.

An ordinary game processing routine of the gaming machine is executed inaccordance with the flow shown in FIG. 3. First, internal lottery isperformed when the player has completed inputting the number of tokens(step S10). Here, the internal lottery is for sampling random numericalvalues at given intervals from random number sequences produced by arandom number sequence circuit provided in the random number selector100 a ₂, and to compare the thus-sampled numerical values withpredetermined data stored in the ROM 100 b ₁, thereby determining theindicia to be stationarily displayed on the display 12. On the basis ofthe thus-determined indicia, a determination is made as to whether ornot a win has arisen. If a win has arisen, the pattern of the win (e.g.,provision of a status which can become advantageous to the player) isdetermined.

Then, variable display of the indicia is started (step S11). Processingpertaining to this step is iterated until all the indicium aredetermined to have been stationarily displayed in step S14.

After the indicium have been variably displayed, a determination is madeas to whether or not the indicium are to be stationarily displayed, onthe basis of actuation of the stop buttons 14 b performed by the playeror lapse of a predetermined time period (step S12).

When the indicium are determined to be stationarily displayed, theindicia is stationarily displayed on a per-reel basis (step S13).Stationary display of the indicia is performed on the basis of detailsof flags set through the internal random sampling performed in step S10.If in step S12 the indicium are determined not to be stationarilydisplayed, processing returns to step S11, wherein variable display ofthe indicia is continued.

In step S13 the indicium of the respective reels are stationarilydisplayed, and a determination is made as to whether or not all theindicium are stationarily displayed (step S14).

When all the indicium are determined to have been stationarilydisplayed, win determination processing is performed (step S15). The windetermination processing is performed in accordance with a windetermination processing routine to be described later. In contrast, ifin step S14 not all the indicium are determined to have beenstationarily displayed, processing returns to step S11, therebysequentially, stationarily displaying the indicium that are beingvariably displayed.

As a result of completion of the win determination processing performedin step S15, a result of the win determination operation is reflected onthe gaming machine, whereupon a shift to a state which can beadvantageous to the player is effected.

As shown in FIG. 4, the game processing routine to be performed by thegaming machine of the embodiment is started as a result of all theindicium being stationarily displayed (step S14 shown in FIG. 3). Thepattern of stationary display of the indicia is converted into numericalvalue information. Processing proceeds by applying the numerical valueinformation to a predetermined arithmetic expression.

First, an arithmetic expression to be used for determining a win isloaded (step S21). The expression is determined so as to correspond to awin determination rule. Information about a predetermined arithmeticexpression previously stored in the ROM 101 b ₁ is transmitted to theRAM 100 b ₂.

Next, a determination is made as to whether or not a match existsbetween the stationarily-displayed indicia and the predeterminedarithmetic expression (step S22). For example, indicium of differenttypes are converted into respective binary indicium. The resultantbinary indicium are applied to the arithmetic expression, therebydetermining whether or not the indicium coincide with the expression.Thus, a determination can be made by use of a so-called comparator orthe like.

Here, when the stationarily-displayed indicium and the predeterminedarithmetic expression are determined to coincide with each other, avirtual line which virtually connects together a plurality of displayareas can also be set among the indicium that have satisfied thepredetermined arithmetic expression (i.e., the adjacent indicium) atstep S23. Specifically, in order to inform the player that a winningline has been set as a result of occurrence of a win, a slot machinewhich blinks/illuminates a winning line lamp (not shown) providedbetween a plurality of display areas of the display 12 enables controlof a corresponding winning line lamp on the basis of the informationabout setting of the virtual line.

In this way, a determination is made as to whether or not a “win” or“failure” has arisen in the game, by determination operation pertainingto step S22, whereby the sub-routine is completed.

A specific way to determine occurrence of a win, in which hexagonalindicium are variably displayed (a win which can be advantageous to theplayer is provided), will be described by reference to FIGS. 9A to 9E.

As shown in FIG. 9A, hexagonal indicium are vertically connectedtogether, whereby one connected information set is displayed in the formof a reel of a rotary slot or video slot in the display 12 of the gamingmachine according to the embodiment. FIG. 9A shows a case where fivereels are arranged side by side in the display 12 such that threeindicium are displayed on each reel.

FIG. 9B shows that the indicium are variably displayed (in a scrolledmanner) in the display 12 while being connected together. The left-mostfirst reel has already stopped.

FIGS. 9C to 9E show that all the reels remaining in a state shown inFIG. 9B, in which the indicium are variably displayed, are brought to astop, thereby stationarily displaying the indicium.

The specific way to determine occurrence of a win will be described byreference to FIG. 9C. From among the stationarily-displayed indicium, aset of three adjacent indicium “▪” and a set of seven adjacent indicium“•” are established. Accordingly, occurrence of a win is determined onthe basis of such patterns of stationarily-displayed indicium, and astatus which can become advantageous to the player is offered.

When an additional rule that an adjacent relationship existing betweenindicium with respect to the reel rotating direction is not included isadded to the definition of the adjacent relationship, sets of indiciumwhich are adjacent to each other with respect to the reel rotatingdirection are set as separate winning lines. Therefore, a set of fiveadjacent indicium “•,” a set of four adjacent indicium “•” and a set ofthree adjacent indicium “▪” are established.

Here, the expression “adjacent relationship existing between indiciumwith respect to the reel rotating direction is not included” means thatindicium involving such a relationship are branched into independentwinning lines.

The specific way to determine occurrence of a win will be described byreference to FIG. 9D. Among the stationarily-displayed indicium, a setof five adjacent indicium “•” are established. A total of five indiciumcan be connected in 29 different ways such that the indicium areconnected at their sides to adjacent indicium while passing through onelocation on each reel. Therefore, winning lines can be set in advance aspatterns in which predetermined indicium are arranged in a relativepositional relationship.

FIG. 9E shows an example of a case where the number of indicium to bedisplayed on each reel is changed. Specifically, three indicium aredisplayed on the first reel R₁; four indicium are displayed on thesecond reel R₂; five indicium are displayed on the third reel R₃; fourindicium are displayed on the fourth reel R₄; and three indicium aredisplayed on the fifth reel R₅. Thus, a novel pattern of display of theindicium can be provided to the player.

Here, an indicia “⋆” serving as a “wild card” which can replace alltypes of indicium is displayed on the second reel R₂. Accordingly, nineadjacent indicium “▪” including the indicia “⋆”; four adjacent indicium“▴” including the indicia “⋆”; and two adjacent indicium “•” includingthe indicia “⋆” are established.

If the rule that “adjacent relationship existing between indicium withrespect to the reel rotating direction is not included” is added to thedefinition of the adjacent relationship, the indicium which are adjacentto each other with respect to the reel rotating direction are set asseparate winning lines. Hence, five adjacent indicium “▪”; five adjacentindicium “▪” including the indicia “⋆”; and four adjacent indicium “▴”including the indicia “⋆” are established.

The above description is based on the premise that the indicium aredisplayed in the form of a video display through use of, e.g., a CRT.However, the invention is not limited to the video display. The indiciummay be displayed through use of mechanical reels. In this case, theindicium on the reels are identified by a position sensor provided inthe gaming machine, thereby determining whether or not identicalindicium are adjacent to each other over a plurality of display areas.

As mentioned above, the configuration of a display of a so-called rotaryslot machine using mechanical reels will be described by reference toFIGS. 10 through 14.

FIG. 10A is a view showing rotation (of drums) of the gaming machineaccording to a second embodiment. Three drums 21, 22, and 23 for rotarypurposes are provided. The axis of rotation of the drum 21, that of thedrum 22, and that of the drum 23 are aligned with the center axis.Spinning action of the drum 21, that of the drum 22, and that of thedrum 23 are controlled independently.

Reels R₁, R₂, and R₃ shown in FIG. 10B are affixed to respective outerperipheral surfaces of the drums 21, 22, and 23 such that a plurality ofindicium are displayed in a row in a circumferential direction.Identification indicium displayed on the reels R₁, R₂, and R₃ shown inFIG. 10B assume a hexagonal geometry. As a result of those indiciumbeing affixed to the respective drums, a plurality of indicium assuminga hexagonal geometry are displayed on the display 12.

When the hexagonal indicium are variably displayed, contact may arisebetween the indicium, depending on an interval between the drums 21, 22,and 23, and such contact hinders physical variable display. In thiscase, there is adopted a measure for making the diameters of the drumsdifferent from each other and alternately arranging drums of differentdiameters (e.g., R₁=R₃>R₂).

As a third embodiment of the invention, the reels R₁, R₂, and R₃ shownin FIG. 11B are affixed to the outer peripheral surfaces of therespective drums 21, 22, and 23 in a row in a circumferential directionas shown in FIG. 11A. Here, the indicium displayed on the respectivereels R₁, R₂, and R₃ shown in FIG. 11B assume a rectangular geometry,which is the same as that of the indicium of the related-art gamingmachine.

Display windows 26, 27, and 28, which enable setting of geometries ofindicium, are provided in the display 12 where the indicium of the reelsR₁, R₂, and R₃ are to be displayed. Display areas which have been edgedinto a hexagonal geometry in advance, such as those shown in FIG. 11C,are provided in the respective display windows 26, 27, and 28. Even whenthe rectangular indicium are displayed in a spinning manner, the playercan view the indicium through the display windows as if hexagonalindicium are displayed in a spinning manner.

The display areas that have been edged into a hexagonal geometry inadvance are set in the display windows 26, 27, and 28. However, avariety of changes in the geometry of the indicia such as an octagonalgeometry or a dodecagonal geometry, become feasible. Alternatively,ornament lamps, such as LEDs, are arranged into a preset layout. Whencertain indicium have become adjacent to each other, the lamps can becaused to act as a notifier for offering a status which can becomeadvantageous to the player.

By adoption of the configuration of the display shown in FIGS. 10Athrough 11C, the hexagonal indicium shown in FIGS. 5 and 9A through 9Ecan be displayed while being connected together.

As a fourth embodiment of the invention, the configuration of a displayof a rotary slot machine which displays octagonal indicium andrectangular indicium will now be described by reference to FIGS. 12Athrough 14C.

As shown in FIG. 12A, drums 21, 22, and 23, and drums 24 and 25, bothbeing smaller in diameter than the drums 21 through 23, are housed inthe slot machine. The axis of rotation of the drum 21, that of the drum22, that of the drum 23, that of the drum 24, and that of the drum 25are aligned with the center axis; and spinning of the drum 21, that ofthe drum 22, that of the drum 23, that of the drum 24, and that of thedrum 25 are controlled independently.

Reels R₁, R₂, and R₃ shown in FIG. 12B are affixed to respective outerperipheral surfaces of the drums 21, 22, and 23 such that a plurality ofindicium are displayed in a row in a circumferential direction.Identification indicium displayed on the reels R₁, R₂, and R₃ shown inFIG. 12B assume an octagonal geometry. As a result of those indiciumbeing affixed to the respective drums, a plurality of indicium assumingan octagonal geometry are displayed on the display 12.

Reels r₁, r₂ shown in FIG. 12B are affixed to respective outerperipheral surfaces of the drums 24, 25 such that a plurality ofindicium are displayed in a row in a circumferential direction. Theindicium displayed on the reels r₁, r₂ shown in FIG. 12B assume arectangular geometry. As a result of such indicium being displayed, aplurality of rectangular indicium are displayed in the display 12. Thedrums 21 and 22 (or drums 22 and 23) are arranged in proximity to eachother, and the reels r₁, r₂, which are connected together by therectangular indicium, are located in a rectangular clearance formed whenthe octagonal indicium are connected together horizontally andvertically. The octagonal indicium are displayed in a connected manner,and the rectangular indicium are displayed in a separated manner asshown in FIG. 14C.

Accordingly, the rectangular indicium can be omitted by only an amountcorresponding to a space between the rectangular indicium. FIG. 13 showsan example configuration of such a reel. In the reels r₁, r₂ shown inFIG. 13, rectangular indicium are connected together with intervals.

FIG. 14A is a view showing a case where a translucent liquid-crystaldisplay 30 is disposed in front of the drums 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, asa fifth embodiment of the invention. Here, in a reel to be affixed toeach of the drums, the rectangular indicium shown in FIG. 14B areconnected together.

As a result of use of the translucent liquid-crystal display 30,hindrance to display of indicium to be affixed onto drums, which wouldotherwise be caused when drums are disposed behind the display, can beprevented. Displaying an image including octagonal and rectangularframes on the liquid-crystal display 30, the same resultant image asshown in FIG. 14C can be obtained.

Hexagonal or dodecagonal frames may be displayed on the liquid-crystaldisplay 30, thereby enabling a variety of changes in the geometry of theindicium.

Although the present invention has been shown and described withreference to specific preferred embodiments, various changes andmodifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theteachings herein. Such changes and modifications as are obvious aredeemed to come within the spirit, scope and contemplation of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A gaming machine, comprising: a display, including a plurality ofdisplay areas connected with each other, each operable to variably andstationarily display one kind of plural hexagonal indicium; and acontroller, which determines a win occurrence, in a case where anidentical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two ofthe display areas which are adjacently arranged on the display.
 2. Thegaming machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein a line connecting twodisplay areas situated both ends of the display areas showing theidentical kind of indicium and adjacently arranged is regarded as awinning line.
 3. The gaming machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein thewin occurrence is determined except a case where an identical kind ofindicium are stationarily displayed on the display areas which areadjacently arranged in either an immediate horizontal direction or animmediate vertical direction.
 4. A gaming machine, comprising: adisplay, including a plurality of first display areas connected witheach other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kindof plural octagonal indicium, and a plurality of second display areasseparated from each other and connected with four of the first displayareas, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind ofplural rectangular indicium; and a controller, which determines a winoccurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium arestationarily displayed on at least two of the first display areas andthe second display areas which are adjacently arranged on the display.5. The gaming machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein a line connectingtwo display areas situated both ends of the display areas showing theidentical kind of indicium and adjacently arranged is regarded as awinning line.
 6. A gaming machine, comprising: a display, including aplurality of first display areas connected with each other, eachoperable to variably and stationarily display one kind of pluraloctagonal indicium, and a plurality of second display areas separatedfrom each other and connected with four of the first display areas, eachoperable to variably and stationarily display one kind of pluralrectangular indicium including a mark connecting at least two of thefour first display areas; and a controller, which determines a winoccurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium arestationarily displayed on at least two of the first display areasconnected by the mark stationarily displayed on at least one of thesecond display areas.
 7. The gaming machine as set forth in claim 6,wherein a line connecting two first display areas situated both ends ofthe first display areas showing the identical kind of indicium andconnected by the mark displayed on the at least one of the seconddisplay areas is regarded as a winning line.
 8. The gaming machine asset forth in claim 6, wherein the rectangular indicium includes a markisolating the four first display areas.
 9. The gaming machine as setforth in any one of claims 2, 5 and 7, wherein a number of winning lineobtained is counted without considering kind of the indicium.
 10. Thegaming machine as set forth in any one of claims 1, 4 and 6, wherein theindicium includes a special indicia which substitutes all kinds of theindicium.
 11. A gaming machine, comprising: a plurality of first displayareas connected with each other, each operable to variably andstationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium; and aplurality of second display areas separated from each other andconnected with four of the first display areas, each operable tovariably and stationarily display one kind of plural rectangularindicium.
 12. The gaming machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein thegaming machine is a slot machine.
 13. A method of controlling a gamingmachine performed by a computer, comprising steps of: providing adisplay, including a plurality of display areas connected with eachother, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind ofplural hexagonal indicium; and determining a win occurrence, in a casewhere an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on atleast two of the display areas which are adjacently arranged on thedisplay.
 14. The control method as set forth in claim 13, wherein a lineconnecting two display areas situated both ends of the display areasshowing the identical kind of indicium and adjacently arranged isregarded as a winning line.
 15. The control method as set forth in claim13, wherein the win occurrence is determined except a case where anidentical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on the displayareas which are adjacently arranged in either an immediate horizontaldirection or an immediate vertical direction.
 16. A method ofcontrolling a gaming machine performed by a computer, comprising stepsof: providing a display, including a plurality of first display areasconnected with each other, each operable to variably and stationarilydisplay one kind of plural octagonal indicium, and a plurality of seconddisplay areas separated from each other and connected with four of thefirst display areas, each operable to variably and stationarily displayone kind of plural rectangular indicium; and determining a winoccurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium arestationarily displayed on at least two of the first display areas andthe second display areas which are adjacently arranged on the display.17. The control method as set forth in claim 16, wherein a lineconnecting two display areas situated both ends of the display areasshowing the identical kind of indicium and adjacently arranged isregarded as a winning line.
 18. A method of controlling a gaming machineperformed by a computer, comprising steps of: providing a display,including a plurality of first display areas connected with each other,each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of pluraloctagonal indicium, and a plurality of second display areas separatedfrom each other and connected with four of the first display areas, eachoperable to variably and stationarily display one kind of pluralrectangular indicium including a mark connecting at least two of thefour first display areas; and determining a win occurrence, in a casewhere an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on atleast two of the first display areas connected by the mark stationarilydisplayed on at least one of the second display areas.
 19. The controlmethod as set forth in claim 18, wherein a line connecting two firstdisplay areas situated both ends of the first display areas showing theidentical kind of indicium and connected by the mark displayed on the atleast one of the second display areas is regarded as a winning line. 20.The control method as set forth in claim 18, wherein the rectangularindicium includes a mark isolating the four first display areas.
 21. Thecontrol method as set forth in any one of claims 14, 17 and 19, whereina number of winning line obtained is counted without considering kind ofthe indicium.
 22. The control method as set forth in any one of claims13, 16 and 18, wherein the indicium includes a special indicia whichsubstitutes all kinds of the indicium.
 23. A method of controlling aslot machine performed by a computer, comprising steps of: providing aplurality of first display areas connected with each other, eachoperable to variably and stationarily display one kind of pluraloctagonal indicium; and providing a plurality of second display areasseparated from each other and connected with four of the first displayareas, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind ofplural rectangular indicium.
 24. A computer-readable storage medium, inwhich a program for causing a computer to execute the control method asset forth in any one of claims 13, 16, 18 and 23 is stored.